Napa, CA – On the morning of Sunday, March 16, 2025, a crash claimed the lives of 10-year-old Damien Montanez and his 9-year-old sister, Aaliyah Montanez, according to KSEE.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports that the tragic accident took place around 7:22 AM on the Highway 29 southbound Imola Avenue off-ramp.
Damien and Aaliyah were passengers in a 2006 Nissan driven by their mother, Yesica Barajas, when the vehicle veered off the highway, went down an embankment, and collided with a tree. A passing motorist reported that the airbags had deployed. Emergency responders arrived to find the children suffering fatal injuries.
Loved ones remembered the siblings as kind, joyful, and full of life. Family friend Angela Villasenor, who organized a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral expenses, said the children adored spending time outdoors, especially on camping trips to Lake Tahoe with their grandparents.
Both children were students in the Napa Valley Unified School District, which extended condolences and announced that counseling services would be available for classmates and staff.
Authorities suspect Barajas was driving under the influence at the time and said she will be arrested once she is medically cleared.
The crash remains under investigation.
California DUI Law
Section 23153(a) of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) states that it is illegal for any driver to “Operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs and, as a result, cause bodily injury to someone else.”
Passenger Liability
Driver liability insurance covers both those outside the vehicle and passengers inside. While it can be emotionally difficult to file a Wrongful Death claim against someone close to the victim, the financial challenges after an accident can be overwhelming.
A skilled personal injury attorney can help families pursue proper compensation for their loss by handling these legal complexities and negotiating with insurance companies, who always try to reduce payouts on claims they cannot deny.
Bakersfield Car Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a Bakersfield Car Accident Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
